Where the Garment Factory Is Going

Running the largest apparel technology company in the world gives Lectra chief executive officer Daniel Harari a perspective on globalization and automation that few can match. This year was one of the most important in the $317 million company's existence. Lectra replaced all its major hardware and software with a new generation of tools, including smart cutters that know their own history and can be programmed remotely, 3-D software for fitting, product life cycle management software that integrates Lectra's other offerings, and design software that makes the company's U4ia (a de facto industry standard) obsolete. During a visit to Lectra's New York office, Harari spoke with WWD about apparel technology, globalization and fast fashion.

WWD: How has this year been for Lectra?

Daniel Harari: Orders for new cutters are up 38 percent in six months. Our expectations were that they would be down 20 percent. Total orders were up 15 percent in the first six months of the year. Orders for new systems are up 16 percent. But we could not deliver everything. We had a significant backlog at end of September.